What does it feel like to be hungry?
Summary: The activity demonstrates that food
is not distributed equally. Students will discuss their feelings
about inequality, the myths surrounding hunger and the gap between
the rich and poor.
Time: 30 to 40 minutes
Age: Elementary school to adult
Materials: A box of raisins
25 small paper bags. Adjust the number of bags based on group
size.
Preparation: Gather materials
Distribute raisins into bags:
eight bags – empty
eight bags – five raisins
eight bags – 10 raisins
one bag – 50 raisins
Group size: 15 to 30
Procedure:
1. Tell the students that they will receive
a snack.
2. Give each student a closed bag. Tell the
students to open their bags after everyone has received one.
3. After students open their bag, ask them
questions about what happened. Why didn't they all get the same
amount of raisins? Tell students they have a few minutes to work
out a fairer distribution system. Encourage them to share the
snack as a group. Praise them for their efforts. (NOTE: Be prepared
for difficulties. Some students may be unwilling to share. If
this occurs, explain how the situation shows how hard it is for
people to work together and share resources.)
4. Tell the group that food and wealth aren't always
distributed equally. Ask students how they felt after receiving
either a small or large snack. Tell them that the activity was
designed to help them understand that in many countries, including
the U.S., food is not distributed equally
Discussion Questions:
5. How did you feel when you realized that
food had not been distributed equally?
6. Why did this happen?
7. Did anyone want to take someone else’s
food during the lesson?
8. Did you know about these inequalities?
9. Are there hungry people where you live?
10. Consider this common myth: People are hungry
because they are too lazy to work. Explain that many people who
are hungry are working, going to school or looking for work. They
just don't make enough to make ends meet, especially if they have
a family to feed.
11. Ask: What other things do you think are true
about poor people, homeless people, or people who might use a
food pantry? List their ideas. Discuss which ideas are accurate
and which are myths.
Used with permission from Atlanta Community Food
Bank.
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